Kano shuts down Max Air headquarters, others over nonpayment of taxes
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
The Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has sealed three major companies, including the headquarters of Max Air Limited, over unpaid tax liabilities spanning several years.
The enforcement, carried out on Monday, affected businesses that owe taxes dating back to as early as 2012.
The Max Air headquarters, located on Ashton Road, Kano, was sealed due to a five-year tax debt accrued between 2012 and 2017.
The airline is owned by Katsina-based mogul Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.
Another company targeted in the operation was Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company. Its head office on the Kano-Zaria road was shut down for failing to remit N241.2 million in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and withholding taxes for the years 2021 and 2022.
Similarly, Northern Rice and Oil Milling Nigeria Ltd, located in Gunduwawa Industrial Estate, was also sealed for tax non-compliance.
Speaking on the action, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Director of Debt Management and Enforcement at KIRS, stated that the closures were executed following a court order.
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“We went out to enforce payment of tax liabilities to make sure all liability taxes are paid as at when due, as we have a classification of taxes because our enforcement team found out there are discrepancies in the payment of the taxes,” Abdullahi said.
He further explained that repeated efforts to recover the unpaid taxes through correspondence had failed, prompting the agency to take legal and enforcement actions.
“So, the agency found it necessary to take the measure to compel them to pay such taxes after several correspondences without positive responses from them,” he added.
Abdullahi emphasised the importance of ensuring that the revenue due to the state is collected to boost its financial resources. He warned that the agency would continue to enforce tax compliance rigorously and reminded defaulters of their obligations.
He said the companies will remain closed until they settle their outstanding debts.
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